Wolfburn Distillery

The original Wolfburn Distillery was founded in 1821 by William Smith in the hills west of Thurso. In its prime the operation was the largest distillery in Caithness: records show a peak production of 28,056 total gallons of proof spirit in 1826 (approximately 125,000 litres) — an impressive output for a Highland distillery in the early 19th century. The distillery declined over subsequent decades, thought to have ceased production during the 1860s, and by the time of the 1872 Ordnance Survey map it was recorded as a ruin.

For a century and a half the Wolf Burn continued to flow past the site, unmolested and unremembered. Plans to revive the Wolfburn name began in 2011, when planning approval was granted for a new facility at Henderson Park, Thurso — 350 metres from the original site and using the same burn as its water source. Construction proceeded and the distillery opened on 25 January 2013, Burns Night — an appropriately Scottish date for a renewal.

Production commenced in early 2013. Bottling operations began in February 2016, and the inaugural whisky release followed in March 2016. In 2023 the distillery released its first age-statement whisky: a 10 Year Old that documented a decade of maturation in Caithness. 2025 brought two 8 Year Old expressions and a 12 Year Old as the flagship age-statement range, reflecting the growing maturity of the stocks laid down in the early years.

The Wolf Burn rises from the hills of Caithness and provides the distillery's water — a clean, soft Highland source consistent with the original 1821 operation. One wash still and one spirit still produce approximately 125,000 litres of pure alcohol per year — a tiny output that keeps production inherently precious. Maturation uses a range of cask types: American oak ex-bourbon barrels and quarter casks for the lighter expressions, Oloroso sherry hogsheads for the richer Aurora, and ex-Islay whisky casks for the Northland's subtle smoke. The cool Caithness climate provides gentle, slow maturation.

Wolfburn produces four core expressions covering a spectrum from non-peated and sherry-led to very lightly smoked:

Aurora (non-peated) uses a combination of ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, producing a fruity, rich, and warming character — ripe red berries, dried fruit, vanilla, and gentle spice. The sherry influence is generous without dominating.

Langskip (non-peated, bourbon only) is lighter and more delicate — vanilla, honey, orchard fruit, and a clean, elegant finish named for Viking longships that once raided this coast.

Morven is lightly peated at 10 ppm, delivering a gentle campfire smokiness over the distillery's characteristic fruit and sweetness — balanced and approachable for peat curious drinkers.

Northland picks up the subtlest smoke of all, from ex-Islay whisky casks rather than peated malt — an indirect, ghost-smoke quality that adds intrigue without committing to a peated style.

Wolfburn deliberately operates without a traditional visitor centre: tours are conducted within the active working distillery itself, providing an unusually intimate, close-up experience for visitors. Tours last approximately 1.5 hours and include a full distillery walkthrough and whisky tasting. A physical shop and online shop are both available. Address: Henderson Park, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 7XW. Full details at wolfburn.com.